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The theatrical achievements of Rob Guest OBE will be commemorated in an annual competition that will take emerging young performers in musical theatre to Broadway. This year’s inaugural competition is now open.

ANZ Trustees established the ANZ Trustees Foundation: ANZ Rob Guest Endowment in 2008, in memory of the late Rob Guest, to provide support for talented performers and help kick-start their careers in musical theatre.

The ANZ Rob Guest Endowment will be awarded each year to an emerging musical theatre performer selected by a panel of experts. The Award will each year provide one young performer with funds and training.

Applicants have until August 14 to submit a taped vocal performance. The competition, open to Australians aged between 18 and 30, is for singers, but the judging panel welcomes dramatic and dance elements.

Six finalists will be selected from the applicants for the ANZ Trustees Foundation ANZ Rob Guest Endowment to perform at a gala concert at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, on Monday October 12, 2009.

The.six will perform with such musical theatre artists as Marina Prior and the cast of some of Australia’s top musical theatre productions. Bert Newton will host the Concert.

Kellie Dickerson, Rob Guest’s partner and Musical Director of WICKED, and ANZ Trustees Managing Director, Roberto Scenna launched the inaugural ANZ Trustees Foundation ANZ Rob Guest Endowment at the Helpmann Awards at the Sydney Opera House last night (Monday July 27).

Mr Scenna said: “Rob was seen as an inspiration and a mentor to many young performers. In the spirit of his generosity, ANZ Trustees set up his Endowment with the aim of continuing Rob’s legacy and willingness to personally help those starting out in musical theatre.”

Mr Scenna said the endowment had been endorsed by the Australian Business Arts Foundation, which acknowledged its contribution to the future of performing arts in Australia.

“We are now pleased to offer a unique opportunity for an emerging and talented performer to further their career in Rob’s honour, and encourage as many people to apply as possible,” Mr Scenna said.

Six finalists will be selected from the applicants for the Rob Guest Endowment to perform at a gala concert at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, on Monday 12 October 2009. The concert will be presented by ANZ Private Bank and the winner announced at the end of the concert.

The winner will receive a prize package including a $1,000 grant; a personalised ANZ financial planning course; vocal, dance and acting tuition; return airfares to and accommodation in New York with performance tuition and Broadway theatre tickets.

Mr Scenna said ANZ had donated $50,000 to establish the fund and since then, the Endowment has received overwhelming support from a number of production companies including Guys and Dolls, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Chicago, Sydney Theatre Company, Avenue Q, Playbill, ACMN, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and the Gordon Frost Organisation.

Applications for this award are now open to young performers and information can be found at www.robguestendowment.com.au. Members of the public can make a donation to the ANZ Rob Guest Endowment at any ANZ branch (BSB: 013 006 Account No: 1257975) or contact ANZ Trustees for more information on 1800 011 047.

The development of the Rob Guest Endowment will be guided by a theatre industry panel of Kellie Dickerson; John Frost, WICKED Australian Producer and dual Tony Award Winner; and Tim McFarlane, Managing Director of Really Useful Company Asia Pacific.

ROB GUEST OBE
Awarded an OBE for his services to the New Zealand Entertainment Industry Rob Guest began his career in the New Zealand pop charts. He performed in more than 40 musicals and TV productions in New Zealand, Asia and America. He won overnight fame when, after coming to Australia to audition for Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Miserables he took over the lead role of Jean Valjean and performed it as he toured Australia and New Zealand for the next three and a half years. In 1995 he went to London at Cameron Mackintosh’s invitation to appear in the 10th Anniversary production of Les Miserables.

In 1992 he was cast as The Phantom of the Opera in Cameron Mackintosh’s Australian production and performed the role for a record 2,289 performances over seven years. Rob Guest, had the role of The Wizard in WICKED when he died shortly after midnight on Thursday October 2, 2008. His family and friends were at his side. He was 57.